Meet Pav Bhaji King of Mumbai: The teen who came to Mumbai with just Rs 35 now runs a Pav Bhaji business worth crores

In Mumbai, food is part of everyday life. People meet friends over meals, families go back to the same restaurants year after year, and office workers stop in for quick bites during packed workdays. Over time, a few places become familiar. Shiv Sagar is one of them. For many Mumbaikars, it is a name they have grown up with.

The journey of Narayan T Poojari

Behind this familiar restaurant is a quiet story. It belongs to Narayan T Poojari, who did not come from money or comfort. What he built took time.

Poojari was born in Gujjadi, a village in Karnataka’s Udupi district. His family struggled to make ends meet, and life was difficult early on. As reported by News18, at the age of 13, he left for Mumbai to earn and support his family. He arrived with Rs 35 in his pocket and no contacts in the city. There was no safety net, but he decided to try anyway.

His early years in Mumbai were spent working in small hotels and canteens. He cleaned tables, washed utensils and helped in the kitchen wherever needed. The work was hard and the pay was limited. But he stayed observant. He noticed how food was prepared, how customers were treated, and how small establishments were run. Slowly, without realising it, he was learning.

According to online media reports, after work, he attended night school. Balancing studies with long hours was not easy. Many days were tiring, but education helped him gain confidence and think beyond daily survival. At work, he met people from different backgrounds. Some spoke about discipline, patience and long-term effort. These conversations stayed with him and influenced how he approached his own goals.

From ice cream shop to pav bhaji favourite

According to a report by Restaurant India, in 1990, Poojari opened a small ice cream outlet at Kemps Corner, Mumbai. With limited funds, he managed most of the work himself. One day, a customer suggested adding pav bhaji to the menu. He decided to give it a try.

The response was immediate. More customers began to visit, and sales picked up gradually. Pav bhaji soon became the most popular item, bringing people back to the outlet. According to a report by Entrepreneur India, as the business stabilised, more dishes were added. In the early 2000s, pizzas and fusion items found their way onto the menu. Even so, pav bhaji continued to be the main draw.

He named the restaurant Shiv Sagar and focused on keeping the food consistent and the space clean. Prices changed over time, but the taste did not. That consistency helped build trust. Over the years, Shiv Sagar became a regular stop for families, students and office workers. Some customers who first visited as children later returned with their own families.

Success beyond money

According to a 2020 YourStory report, Shiv Sagar earns around Rs 75 crore annually. Poojari, however, has often said he does not see success only in numbers. For him, honesty and consistency matter just as much.

From arriving in Mumbai with Rs 35 to running a well-known restaurant, the journey took decades. There were no shortcuts. It is a story built on steady work, patience and time. And one, which will leave so many people inspired. Have you eater at Shiv Sagar? Tell us your experience in the comment section below.
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